Approaches for foil-based metallization of solar cells and the resulting solar cells are described. For example, a method of fabricating a solar cell involves locating a metal foil above a plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions disposed in or above a substrate. The method also involves laser welding the metal foil to the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The method also involves patterning the metal foil by laser ablating through at least a portion of the metal foil at regions in alignment with locations between the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The laser welding and the patterning are performed at the same time.

Disclosed are a laser bonding apparatus and a laser bonding method capable of bonding an electronic component to a three-dimensional structure having a regular or irregular shape in a curved portion such as an automobile tail lamp or a headlamp. The laser bonding apparatus and method for a three-dimensional structure may prevent misalignment and poor bonding of the electronic component with respect to the three-dimensional structure.

Disclosed are a laser bonding apparatus and a laser bonding method capable of bonding an electronic component to a three-dimensional structure having a regular or irregular shape in a curved portion such as an automobile tail lamp or a headlamp. The laser bonding apparatus and method for a three-dimensional structure may prevent misalignment and poor bonding of the electronic component with respect to the three-dimensional structure.

Systems and methods are provided for monitoring wafer bonding and for detecting or determining defects in a wafer bond formed between two semiconductor wafers. A wafer bonding system includes a camera configured to monitor bonding between two semiconductor wafers. Wafer bonding defect detection circuitry receives video data from the camera, and detects a bonding defect based on the received video data.

Systems and methods are provided for monitoring wafer bonding and for detecting or determining defects in a wafer bond formed between two semiconductor wafers. A wafer bonding system includes a camera configured to monitor bonding between two semiconductor wafers. Wafer bonding defect detection circuitry receives video data from the camera, and detects a bonding defect based on the received video data.

Approaches for foil-based metallization of solar cells and the resulting solar cells are described. For example, a method of fabricating a solar cell involves locating a metal foil above a plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions disposed in or above a substrate. The method also involves laser welding the metal foil to the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The method also involves patterning the metal foil by laser ablating through at least a portion of the metal foil at regions in alignment with locations between the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The laser welding and the patterning are performed at the same time.

Approaches for foil-based metallization of solar cells and the resulting solar cells are described. For example, a method of fabricating a solar cell involves locating a metal foil above a plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions disposed in or above a substrate. The method also involves laser welding the metal foil to the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The method also involves patterning the metal foil by laser ablating through at least a portion of the metal foil at regions in alignment with locations between the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The laser welding and the patterning are performed at the same time.

Semiconductor packages and methods, systems, and apparatuses of forming such packages are described. A method of forming a semiconductor package may include encapsulating a semiconductor die with a molding compound, applying a seed layer on the die and the molding compound, applying a resist layer on the seed layer, exposing a first portion of the resist layer, and exposing a second portion of the resist layer. The first portion can include a first area of the resist layer to be used for forming a redistribution layer (RDL) without including a second area of the resist layer to be used for forming an electrical communications pathway between at least one of the contact pads and the RDL. The second portion can include the second area of the resist layer that includes the electrical communications pathway.

Disclosed are a laser bonding apparatus and a laser bonding method capable of bonding an electronic component to a three-dimensional structure having a regular or irregular shape in a curved portion such as an automobile tail lamp or a headlamp. The laser bonding apparatus and method for a three-dimensional structure may prevent misalignment and poor bonding of the electronic component with respect to the three-dimensional structure.